Lieutenant James H. French, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was born in March 1852. He served with distinction in the 9th Cavalry in Texas and Colorado. After resigning from the service in June 1874 due to an illness, he was ordered to report to Fort Union near Mesilla and later transferred to Fort Stanton under the command of Col. Dudley. It should be duly noted that Lieutenant French is not to be confused with the Regulator, Jim French.
In November of 1878, the widow Mrs. McSween arrived in Lincoln from her sister’s home in Las Vegas accompanied by her legal counsel, Huston Chapman, who had a disability which had resulted in the loss of one of his arms. Mrs. McSween had recently received a generous donation of funds from John Tunstall’s father in England and had decided to utilize the funds to continue her legal battle against Colonial Dudley, who was implicated in her husband’s untimely death during the McSween fire several months prior.
The individual known as the Sheriff of Lincoln during the untimely death of Mcsween was scheduled to appear in a probate court in Lincoln. On the date of Friday the 13th in December of 1878, it came to the attention of George Peppin that some of the Regulators were present in town. Out of caution, Mr. Peppin requested an escort to accompany him to the court proceedings in Lincoln. During his appearance, he intended to provide his perspective on the events that took place during the 5-day battle which transpired in Lincoln in July.
Colonel Dudley dispatched his lieutenant, James H. French, accompanied by two officers and around a dozen soldiers, to provide assistance. They encountered the fearful Peppin and remained with him until court adjourned at 5 p.m.. Given the unfavorable weather conditions and Peppin’s scheduled court appearance the following day, he requested that French and his team stay in town for the night. Lt. French concurred, and the soldiers established a camp. While Peppin conversed with the Lieutenant at the Montano store, they consumed alcoholic beverages and became intoxicated. During their conversation, Peppin somehow persuaded Lieutenant French to go after the Regulators overnight.
Lieutenant James French was initially hesitant about the request but later agreed to carry it out under the condition that he is deputized by Peppin. In an off-duty state, French and his team arrived at the residence of Maximiano de Guevara where The Regulators were known to frequent. With forceful entry, French sat himself down near the fireplace, breaking a few boards in the process.
De Guevara recalled later in testimony,
“He began pulling out some papers and asked me if I knew where Doc Scurlock was. I said No.
He answered, “You’re a son of a bitch and a liar! If you don’t tell me where Scurlock is I’ll kill you!”
He then pulled a cartridge from the gun laying across his lap, and shoved it in my face,
“Smell it!… See how nice the powder smells!”
I repeated that I did not know where Scurlock was and then he aimed his gun at me and my wife. She started yelling in fright “for god sakes don’t do anything to him!”
French then told her “shut up bitch!
Later on, Lieutenant French headed towards John Copeland’s residence, where he apprehended a young boy for carrying a firearm. Afterwards, he proceeded to the old Baca House, which was being occupied by Mrs. McSween and Huston Chapman. Upon forced entry, Chapman questioned French regarding the reasons for his visit and his authority and jurisdiction over the matter.

“By God sir, if I have any authority I will show it to you!”
French said as he sat at the table while taking his overcoat off. He started rummaging through some papers in his pocket and then stood back up and said
“God damn you sir, I’m a better lawyer than you are!”
The widow Mrs. Mcsween chimed in,
“Lieutenant French, if you have a warrant for Mr. Chapman show it to him and he will go with you!”
French yelled back at her,
“You keep your mouth shut!”
Then looked at Chapman saying,
“by God, you are the man I am after.”
After some bickering and arguing French, yanked out his gun, pulled the hammer down on his revolver and in a threatening manner yelled out,
“stand back!”
Tears began to fill the widow Mcsweens eyes and then ran down her face. She was scared and terrified.
“That will do!” French told her,
“I don’t want any of that strategy! I’ve seen that played back in the States.”

French put his coat back on to leave, but stopped and turned,
“My name is lieutenant French company m, 9th Cavalry, United States Army. I will see you again Mr. Chapman!”
The two individuals encountered each other the following morning at the courthouse. French, who was still inebriated, once again taunted Chapman to fight. He proceeded to remove his jacket and requested assistance from one of the soldiers to tie one of his arms behind his back, exclaiming,
“God damn you sir, you have to fight me!”
After an altercation with the one-armed Chapman, French realized the severity of his actions and sought legal representation from Squire Wilson in anticipation of potential charges. Unfortunately, Chapman, the widow Mrs. Mcsween, and Mr. and Mrs. De Guevara all swore out warrants against French, charging him with felonious entry and assault with intent to kill. The following day, upon the officers’ return to Fort Stanton, Colonel Dudley took appropriate action and placed French under arrest.
Due to corruption in New Mexico’s political landscape, Mr. French was acquitted on two charges in the district court. However, the remaining third charge was carried over and on December 21st, the board of officers recommended no further action be taken and he was subsequently dismissed.
Thirteen months later, Lieutenant James H. French was shot in the head and killed while on duty. 
French was serving alongside The Ninth Cavalry in a fight against Chief Victoria and The Apache in the San Mateo mountains, when he was shot in the head and killed. His body was sent to Philadelphia for burial following a large funeral procession in Santa Fe where he was honored.
Lieutenant M.W. Day, Ninth Cavalry, wrote to French’s parents:
“It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your son J. Hansell French who was killed at the head of his company in action with Victoria’s band of hostile Indians in the San Mateo Mts., N.M. about 25 miles from Ojo Caliente on the 17th.”